4 ms·
This used to be common advice (replace the chain and cassette at the same time). Nowadays, the best pracrice is to replace the chain before it stretches too muc
by pge 12y ago
This used to be common advice (replace the chain and cassette at the same time). Nowadays, the best pracrice is to replace the chain before it stretches too much and starts wearing down the cogs. If you do that consistently, a cassette should last a really long time. I ride about 2,000 miles a year commuting and have been using the same cassette for 7 years, changing chains about every other year.
- zwieback 12y agoSounds like me - the middle gears on my DuraAce cassette finally wore out after 20+ years so I pieced together a new one. It's a major pain on vintage bikes, definitely want to change your chain before it wears and maybe get a higher quality chain. I also recently invested in a chain cleaner - loads of fun.
- WildUtah 12y agoChains stretch over time and use. Oil them well and often and they last longer. Measure your chain with an old style American ruler (with 'inches'). Twenty links should be exactly 10 'inches'. [0] If it's 1/8" 'inch' longer, replace the chain. If it's 3/16 'inch' longer, replace the rear cogs and the chain both. Consider replacing the front chain rings, too, especially if the chain is longer or they're made of aluminium. A stretched chain ruins gears. Ruined gears will ruin a new chain, too. Proper maintenance fixes both problems. New quality chains cost about US$10-15. [0] Wikipedia says one 'inch' is 2.54 centimeters, if you believe that.